Page last updated: January 26, 2015 12:19 PM

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The Center for UFO Studies was formed in 1973 by
Sherman J. Larsen and J. Allen Hynek. 1Reaction to the Condon Report
and the UFO wave of 1973 were stimulants to its formation. However,
in actuality, this action was one Dr. Hynek was probably destined to
take since 1953 when the government, with assistance from the
Robertson Panel, rejected serious consideration of the UFO
phenomenon.2 Hynek also wanted to further the study of the UFO subject
in hopes of attaining a greater degree of interest from the majority
of the Scientific community. "It was the first such organization of
its kind to be founded by a Scientist & dedicated to research
& analysis *... "3

* Also see following footnote for a 1975 interview with Hynek which details the original concept of CUFOS.4

The Center "quickly became a dominant force in UFO research, drawing
upon the investigative capabilities of the other UFO organizations.
With the editorial direction of Mimi Hynek, CUFOS published
monographs & research materials that could not be published
elsewhere because commercial and academic presses were fearful that
the subject would not sell or was too 'fringy'." 5 In 1980, when NICAP closed its doors, CUFOS thereby
officially became the major dominant, most well-known _scientific_ UFO organization on
the East Coast and perhaps in the country. 6

"Within a few years, CUFOS was publishing important UFO materials and
was providing an avenue for scholars on the subject. CUFOS and Mimi
Hynek began the Journal of UFO Research to provide a scholarly outlet
for articles as well. This journal remains the best attempt at this
endeavor to date. CUFOS also established itself as a repository of
information about UFOs, disseminating this information through the
International UFO Reporter and the Associate Newsletter. The IUR has
emerged as one of the leading UFO periodicals in the world."7

In 1986, upon his death, the board of CUFOS voted to rename the
organization the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies. His wife Mimi
agreed to rejoin the CUFOS board. Mimi has since passed away as
well.

Although the organization of CUFOS has no doubt
undergone changes since this was written, hopefully this brief
synopsis will give the reader a basic "feel" for the reason for its
existence.